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BUIES CREEK, N.C. - Sam Butts and Bradley Farias found the back of the net in the first half for Campbell as the Camels downed NC State 2-1 in a preseason exhibition match at the Eakes Athletic Complex on Saturday evening.
Butts, a freshman hailing from Charlotte, N.C., put his name on the scoresheet just 20 minutes into his Campbell career, while Farias chipped one past NC State's Alex McCauley in the 43rd minute to increase the Camels' lead.
"The guys were able to fight and grind out a result tonight, and that is important for the growth of this program," Head Coach Dustin Fonder said after his debut with the Camels. "The guys should pat themselves on the back tonight. I saw glimpses of good things, and I also saw things that we can improve. That's where we should be this time of year, and I look forward to getting back out here tomorrow to improve."
The Wolfpack outshot the Camels 18-10, but fired just one more shot on target, 7-6, than Campbell on the night. McCauley made three saves for NC State, while replacement Boo Davis batted away one shot in just under 30 minutes of action.
Farias led all players with three shots on goal, and Butts, Tunji Osifeso and Michael Clemmons each added one apiece. For the Wolfpack, Zach Knudson and Tanner Roberts each put two attempts on frame.
For Campbell, redshirt sophomore Matthew Mozynski made four saves and shut out the Wolfpack in the first half before giving way to Nick Hensley for the second frame, who made a pair of saves in goal.
NC State applied much of the pressure for the first 20 minutes of action, firing five shots in that span but placing just one, a strong attempt from Knudson, on goal at the 19:04 mark.
Following Mozynski's stop, Campbell pressed up the field and Osifeso sprinted through the box on the left side before launching a strike toward goal. McCauley made the stop but was unable to bring it under control, setting up Butts for the rebound from the right side that gave the Camels a 1-0 advantage midway through the half.
"Sam had a good game," Fonder said. "To be a freshman and playing against an ACC opponent in his first action, he didn't shy away from anything. He was honest, he was committed and it was an admirable performance."
"I just wanted to come out and prove to the coaches that I can play at this level," Butts said. "I was fortunate enough to find the back of the net. I want to keep working hard and be a big part of this program."
The Wolfpack again sent in a flurry of shots beginning in the 31st minute, putting two attempts on goal that were saved by Mozynski. Ryan Peterson and Reed Norton each got a head on the ball, but could not convert for NC State.
Farias stretched the lead to 2-0 in the 43rd minute, sending a chip up and over McCauley to the right side of the goal. Set up by redshirt junior Pepe Rangel's through-ball into the center of the box, the sophomore corraled the ball long enough to beat McCauley with the chip.
Both sides found chances early in the second half, including a blast from Farias that forced McCauley into action in the 59th minute. After subbing in for Mozynski at the halftime break, Hensley batted away two tries from the Wolfpack in the first 20 minutes of the frame as well.
The Wolfpack cut Campbell's lead in half at the 76:22 mark off a header from Roberts. NC State drew a corner kick which Tyler Gabarra played into the box, and Roberts beat Hensley to the center of the goal with his head to make it 2-1 in favor of the Camels.
Despite two late shots, NC State was unable to draw any closer as the Camels closed out the 2-1 exhibition victory.
Campbell will wrap up its preseason slate with a visit to ACC opponent Clemson next Thursday at 7:00 p.m. The Camels will be seeking their first-ever victory over the Tigers, who advanced to the Round of 16 in the 2014 NCAA Tournament.